Genesis 25:22-23

Genesis 25:22-23

[22] And the children  struggled together  within her;  and she said,  If it be so, why am I thus?  to enquire  of the LORD.  [23] And the LORD  said  unto her, Two  nations  are in thy womb,  and two manner  of people  shall be separated  from thy bowels;  and the one people  shall be stronger  than the other people;  and the elder  shall serve  the younger. 

What does Genesis 25:22-23 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Rebekah"s pregnancy was so painful that she wondered if there was any point to going on living. She expressed the same thought when her sons had grown up ( Genesis 27:46). God"s choice of the younger over the elder "was contrary to ancient Near Eastern custom, but the elective purposes of God transcend custom." [1] The divine oracle summarizes the careers of Jacob and Esau and is similar to Genesis 12:1-3 in that both statements are programmatic. All of Jacob"s subsequent scheming to obtain the birthright and the blessing was unnecessary since God promised that he would become the dominant nation.